Core i5-3470 vs FX-6350

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-3470

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 77W instead of 125W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6350 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.3 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $52 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Delivers 38.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.2 vs 25.3 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 4,663).
❌62.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 77W.

Core i5-3470

2012

FX-6350

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 77W instead of 125W, a 48W reduction.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $52 less on MSRP ($132 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Delivers 38.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 35.2 vs 25.3 PassMark/$ ($132 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6350 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.3 vs 35.2 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $132 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,640 vs 4,663).
❌62.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 77W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6350 better than Core i5-3470?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, FX-6350 is ahead with a 5.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470 is the better fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

FX-6350 is the smarter buy today. FX-6350 is $52 cheaper on MSRP at $132 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it gives you a 5.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i5-3470 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 38.7% better value on MSRP (35.2 vs 25.3 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

FX-6350 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-3470 Benchmark Check

FX-6350 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-3470	FX-6350
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	108 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	115 FPS	116 FPS
high	91 FPS	95 FPS
ultra	70 FPS	79 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	65 FPS
medium	56 FPS	58 FPS
high	44 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-3470 Open FX-6350

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-3470	FX-6350
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	103 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	103 FPS	116 FPS
high	80 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	58 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i5-3470 Open FX-6350

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-3470	FX-6350
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i5-3470 Open FX-6350

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-3470	FX-6350
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i5-3470 Open FX-6350

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3470 and FX-6350

Core i5-3470

The Core i5-3470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,663 points. Launch price was $184.

FX-6350

The FX-6350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,640 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3470 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6350 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6350 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470 versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6350 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the FX-6350 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-3470 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-6350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470 scores 4,663 against the FX-6350's 4,640 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-3470.

Feature	Core i5-3470	FX-6350
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.2 GHz+17%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.9 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6144 kB+2300%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,663	4,640

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3470	FX-6350
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3470 launched at $184 MSRP, while the FX-6350 debuted at $132. On MSRP ($184 vs $132), the FX-6350 is $52 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470 delivers 25.3 pts/$ vs 35.2 pts/$ for the FX-6350 — making the FX-6350 the 32.4% better value option.